Redevelopment of former Vauxhall site given the go ahead

More than 600 new homes, a supermarket and a hotel will be built on the former Vauxhall Motors site it was announced yesterday.

After more than a decade waiting for regeneration of the brownfield site in Kimpton Road, the Augur Group has secured outline planning consent.

The 60-acre site will be transformed into Napier Park, a mix of residential, commercial and industrial buildings which will create up to 2,000 permanent new jobs.

Simon Mann, managing director of Augur Group said: “The site has great importance in the history of the area and our aim is to shape its future by creating a highly sustainable development. By providing new homes and jobs for the local community, the site will help to drive the economic growth of Luton.”

The master plan includes building 625 homes, 340,000 sq ft of offices and 180,000 sq ft of storage and industrial space.

Community spaces including a civic square, communal green space and children’s play areas, as well as car parking and infrastructure will also be created.

A pedestrian link will connect the residential zone with the newly open station entrance on the north side of Luton Parkway Station, providing access to central London in just 26 minutes.

The stalled project was taken over by the Augur Group in 2012 when the council asked them to find a solution for the brownfield site.

The Augur Group say extensive market testing and the council’s vision for the borough have helped them create a plan that addresses short term demand and a long investment and employment for the area.

The Section 106 agreement will be signed early in 2014 although terms are already agreed between Augur and Luton Borough Council.